都合

• Reading: つごう
• Romaji: tsugou
• Kanji breakdown: 都 (to/tsu) — capital, all; 合 (gou/a) — fit, match, combine
• Pronunciation: /t͡sɯ.ɡo.ɯ/

Meaning

Circumstances; convenience. Whether a time or situation works for someone.

Used frequently when scheduling or making plans. The phrases 都合がいい (convenient, available) and 都合が悪い (inconvenient, unavailable) are essential for polite conversation. It is a very common way to ask about someone's availability without being too direct.

Examples

1. 明日の都合はどうですか。 How does tomorrow work for you?
2. 来週は都合が悪いので、再来週にしましょう。 Next week doesn't work for me, so let's make it the week after.
3. お忙しいところ、ご都合を聞いてすみません。 Sorry to bother you when you're busy, but I wanted to ask about your availability.

Usage Guide

Context: scheduling, business, polite requests

Tone: polite

Origin & History

Compound of 都 (to/tsu, capital/all) and 合 (gou/au, to fit/match). Originally meant 'to arrange everything together,' evolving into the modern sense of how things fit with one's schedule.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal